Storm water pollution prevention is a critical regional issue that Dallas County is proactively addressing by partnering with various agencies to develop a Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP) for Unincorporated Areas in Dallas County. The intent of this plan is to preserve or improve the health and quality of life in the Unincorporated Areas by preventing or mitigating storm water pollution. This SWMP was drafted to comply with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) TPDES (Texas Pollution Discharge Elimination System) General Permit TX040000 (MS4 Permit). This permit for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) was submitted to TCEQ on August 13, 2007. The renewal General Permit TXR 040000 was submitted on June 11, 2014 and will authorize the discharge of storm water to surface waters in the State of Texas from small MS4s (population < 100,000). The renewal draft SWMP was approved by the Dallas County Commissioner’s Court on June 10, 2014 and subsequently submitted to TCEQ with a Notice Of Intent (NOI) on June 11, 2014. Links to the renewal NOI and SWMP document are attached below. In addition, the original TCEQ preliminary decision and the MS4 General Permit are provided below:

Please check this website often as information will be updated regularly. If you have any questions about Dallas County's MS4 Storm Water Permit, please contact Dennis Abraham Ph.D., P.E., C.F.M. at 214-653-7232 or at dennis.abaraham@dallascounty.org. If your question cannot be answered, you will be forwarded to the appropriate local, state or federal agency.To report any illicit discharges please contact either the Dallas County Environmental Health Department at 214-819-2000 or the North Central Texas Stop Illegal Dumping hotline 1-888-335-DUMP.

Texas SmartScape Program

Texas SmartScape is an environmentally friendly method of landscaping that utilizes less water, fertilizer and fewer pesticides than any other landscaping system. Research demonstrates storm water runoff in North Central Texas carries pesticides and fertilizers from residential yards to neighborhood creeks, ponds, lakes and rivers. The Texas SmartScape website (http://www.txsmartscape.com/) provides an interactive educational guide to native and drought-tolerant landscaping techniques. A further description of Texas SmartScape principles and a list of Texas SmartScape plants can also be found on the following attachment provided by Texas AgriLife Extension Services: smartscape-handout.pdf.

The Dallas County Master Gardeners in cooperation with County Commissioner Maurine Dickey transformed a narrow strip parking lot outside the District 1 Commissioner offices into an outstanding demonstration garden that illustrates the Water Wise and Earth KindTM principles for landscape water conservation.The garden features a rich diversity of plant materials selected not only for their beauty and ornamental features, but also because they have been shown to be very tough landscape plants. Visitors are invited to tour the garden which is located at 2311 Joe Field Road, Dallas, TX 75229. If you would like to schedule a tour or class, call the Dallas County Master Gardener office at 214-904-3053.

Scoop the Poop

On an average a dog produces approximately half a pound of waste in a single day. Dog and cat waste when not properly disposed have the potential to pollute the waterways. Pet waste left in open spaces and backyards can end up in waterways after rain events. The health of humans and pets can be affected by the use of these polluted waterways. A good policy for pet owners to minimize and prevent the negative effects of having pet waste end up in the waterways is to “SCOOP THE POOP.” Links to City of Austin’s and NCTCOG's scoop the poop programs is attached

Storm water pollution prevention is a critical regional issue that Dallas County is proactively addressing by partnering with various agencies to develop a Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP) for Unincorporated Areas in Dallas County. The intent of this plan is to preserve or improve the health and quality of life in the Unincorporated Areas by preventing or mitigating storm water pollution. This SWMP was drafted to comply with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) TPDES (Texas Pollution Discharge Elimination System) General Permit TXR040000 (MS4 Permit). This permit for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) was issued by TCEQ on August 13, 2007 and authorizes the discharge of storm water to surface waters in the State of Texas from small MS4s (population < 100,000). The draft SWMP was approved by the Dallas County Commissioner’s Court on January 29, 2008 and subsequently submitted to TCEQ with a Notice Of Intent (NOI) on February 1, 2008. Revisions to the draft SWMP were submitted to TCEQ on August 7, 2008. Dallas County received preliminary approval of the revised SWMP from TCEQ on September 2, 2008. This five-year program will be renewed with TCEQ in August 2012. Links to the NOI, revised SWMP document, TCEQ preliminary decision and the MS4 General Permit are provided below: